It occurred to me, after the Sandy Hook murders, that blaming guns is a secular substitute for blaming the devil. People find it too challenging to figure out why a human being would do this terrible thing and they latch on to the idea that the gun made it happen. Suicide presents a similar challenge, and one way to fathom it is to say: It was the gun. Isn't it like saying the devil made him do it? The gun/the devil is a great go-to answer, freeing you from wracking your brain about the workings of the human mind.

Yeah, seems legit. People like to have something to blame; to hold something or someone accountable. The Republican party and the NRA, for example, are very high-profile recipients of blame at the moment. Oops! My car broke down! Those lousy republicans. Ban them!

People are taught to blame the gun by people who don't believe guns are the problem any more than you and I do.

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agreed, and the very thought that somebody would enjoy an activity they dont approve of, irritates them to no end, it offends their sensibilities. It has become increasingly hostile as of late, some antis are ramping up their rhetoric to dizzying heights of hysteria.
its getting weird
gene

So are efforts to limit nuclear proliferation just people blaming nukes? Rather than stop countries from having nukes should we only try and look at the reasons why they want them?

Gun control measures have nothing to do with blaming the gun. People see guns as a variable in an equation of gun violence. Right or wrong, they believe removing said variable will prevent people from being able to commit heinous acts such as Sandy Hook. It is simply trying to remove an means to an end. They don't believe that removing guns will make people no longer want to commit horrible acts of violence but rather prevent some from doing so or at least limiting the damage when they do. We can disagree with the potential effectiveness or argue that infringing on the second amendment is not worth the cost but the "don't blame the gun mantra" is a rebuttal to an argument that does not exist. It makes us look foolish and unable to comprehend a simple point.

Nope, same logic applies.... The NRA isn't a person, it's an organization...the NRA doesn't have a face, the NRA can't go to jail.

Ive yet to hear anyone personally blaming Wayne lapiere....

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The NRA isn't a person, its a whole bunch of people. You're argument was that a gun can't defend itself but the NRA certainly gun.

You also said that attacking a gun would not bring the potential for reprisal. I'm not sure what type of reprisal you are referring to but this thread alone shows that there are plenty who will counter against what you believe is attacking guns.

The point it this whole argument is really nothing more than ad hominem attack. "Gun control advocates don't agree with us so lets demonize them in any way possible, regardless of merit." Its not necessary or constructive.

The point it this whole argument is really nothing more than ad hominem attack. "Gun control advocates don't agree with us so lets demonize them in any way possible, regardless of merit." Its not necessary or constructive

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I can assure you this is no attempt to intentionally demonized.... I'm calling it like I see it.

I'de say the same thing about people who blam the drugs, or who blame video games, ect.

People do bad things...
Let me put it like this... If you can't look it in the eye, don't have the gaul to accuse it.

We live in a society that does not want to take responsibility for anything they do. Want to have premarital sex, don't worry you can just kill that baby without any consequences if you get pregnant. Want to kill your neighbor, its ok we'll blame violent movies and shows for your actions. Want to shoot up a bunch of people at a mall, we'll just say you're mentally insane and the guns made you do it. Don't get me wrong here, yes, there are people who are truly insane but they are few and far between. The ultimate goal with the gun issue is to truly have control over the populace. Why do you think there was ever a need for the 2nd Amendment if this isn't true? It wasn't written to protect ones right to hunt or even personal protection but to ensure the citizens right to defend against any tyrranical government. As far as crime and violence, look at England. They "blamed" guns and took them away and now they have one of the highest stabbing and mugging rates in the world. Makes even South Africa look tame.

Some people think its a 50/50 blame between the gun and a person.
Not sure how a gun would channel evil.
As bad as it sounds I'm waiting on someone to go on a killing spree with a slag hammer. Then who would they blame

As I become more experienced in listening to and evaluating the arguments of the antis, the answer as to why they blame the gun becomes more complicated. To recap, I have listed, what I believe to be, a few of their reasons:

1) They are truly fearful of guns.
2) If guns were eliminated, there would be less violence.
3) They want to confiscate guns so only the elite/powerful will have them.
4) They do not understand the pleasures of gun ownership nor do they care.
5) They do not believe in the concept of an evil man.
6) Something must be done immediately and the gun is the lazy man’s solution.

I am sure there are other reasons as well. The 2A however is not on the list. By us throwing that right into the debate, it does not compute with the antis. It will most likely enrage vis-à-vis engender them. Therefore, if we are to have a truly meaningful dialogue, we must take their concerns into consideration. We may not change the minds of the antis but we should gain support of the fence sitters.

As is often noted, gun control isn't about the guns. There are a few true pacifists among the antis who genuinely want TOTAL disarmament from nukes to handguns and an end to all violence and warfare. They have my respect, if not my support. But the vast majority of them are just statists who want a very well armed warrior caste to protect the wealthy and powerful. The rest of the society, as they see it, needs no firearms and ought to have no firearms. Gun control is about controlling *US*. Always has been. Blaming the gun is a stand-in for attacking us. Which is why if they banned AR's they come after all semis next, then all rifles and handguns, then knives etc. Selective disarmament of everyone who isn't one of their friends or paid guards, pretty much.

Gun control is not about guns, and it's not even about "control." Deep down, it's because certain groups of people in this country (East and West Coast elitists, Hollywood glitterati, the media, university academics, professional activists, etc.) hate and resent Middle America, that is, what to them are "rednecks" and "yokels." This is irrational cultural prejudice. This country has divided into "tribes," and it's one tribe against another.

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